Lock



E. A. CHRISTOPH.

LOCK.

APPLOCATION FILED AUG.25, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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E. A. CHRISTOPH.

LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.25| I9I9.

Patented Iuly 3129 IIIZIL.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

E ward 6L. Chmloph 155g mi Wm mam/Legs PATENT @FFMC EDWARD CHRISTOPH, OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS.

LOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

llmatenteall July 112, M9211.

Application filed August 25, 1919. Serial No. 319,579.

To all Iwko/m. t may concern.'

Be it known that EnwAnn A. Unins- 'rol 1i, a citizen ot' the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State oi Illinois, have. invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Locks, of which the following is a i'ull, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to locks, and is concerned particularly with locks of the so called block-tuinbler type.

Locks oi this general description comprise a stationary element and a rotatable element. 'l`he rotatable element is connected with the locking bolt mechanism or' a door, or the like, in such manner that the locking bolt is released or thrown upon rotation thereof. The rotatable element is barred against rotation until the proper key is inserted whereupon this element is free to rotate. and the. locking bolt is released. The essential requisites in a lock of this type are, a high order of security and a vast capacity Jr'or key changes or combinations, whereby the rotatable element is released for rotation. 'lhc provision of a lock possessing both has been a considerable practical diiliculty heretofore in the art.

For example, in locks of this type as heretot'ore constructed it has been customary to employ a relatively great number of very thin block tumblers to facilitate various key changes. Such construction does not possess the security that is derived Jfrom solidity and strength to resist violence. Furthermore a great number of thin tumblers are not only diiiicult to assemble accurately, but hinder easy entrance of the key into the lock. To increase the thickness of such tumblers, as heretofore constructed would necessitate correspondinglyincreasing the length of the cooperating bittlngs in the key which is impractical; a great number of such tumblers making i'or an impractical lock and a cumbersome key whereby the key changes are restricted.

The objects ot my invention are;

(a) The provision ot' a lock capable of an infinite number ot' key changes or combinations.

(b) The provision ot' a lock possessing security derived from solidity and strength to resist violence.

(c) IThe provision of a lock possessing security against illicit opening, whether by picking or the use of a key surreptitiously obtained. 3V

(d) The provision of a lock of the simplest construction, consistent with strength and durability; capable of resisting violence and hard usage without derangement.

(e) The provision of a lock wherein the key willenter easily and operate the lock quickly.

(lther aims of my invention not hereinbefore set forth will appear from the following detailed description and the claims taken with an inspection of the accompany- 1n drawings wherein:

4`igure 1 1s a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of a lock embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken` on the line. 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal, horizontal section taken on the line 4--4 of Fig'. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the rotatable tumbler carrying plug member of the lock.

Fig. 6 is a perspective viewv of the head or cap provided in connection with the plug member shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of a flat spring employed in connection with the lock mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional View ot a modification.

Fig. 9 is a front eleyational view of the i lto coperate to lock the plug member against rotation.

ment bears a fixed relationship to the surface of the door. While in this particular instance the stationary inclosing element 2 is in the form of a casmg or barrel the same can, under certain conditions, be made an integral part of the door. At any event the inclosing element 2 is provided with a plug receiving bore 3 and a pair of diametrlcally opposite longitudinal grooves 4 and 5, with which the tumbers 6, 7, 8, and 9 are adapted The forward end of the plug receiving bore 3 terminates in a suitable co-axial pocket 10. .The inner or rear end of the tumbler .bearing plug member 1 is connected with the bolt mechanism of the door in such manner that the same is released upon rotation of the plug member. This connection might be through a suitable eccentric pin 11, projecting inwardly 5from the rear end of the plug member 1 and thence through a suitable cam or bolt thrower or otherwise; such`J connections being immaterial in so far as my invention is concerned.

The rotatable element or tumbler bearing plug member 1 is bifurcated or slotted diametrically as shown at 12 in Fig. 4; thereby providing a pair of spaced partially annular prongs 14 and 15, between which the block tumblers 6, 7, 8 and 9 are accommoprovided in' the plug member 1 between the rear end of the slot 12 and the inner or rear end of the plug member. An inner or rear key-way guide block 18 is securely drivenv into this diametrical groove 16 and is p-rovided with a key-way or slot 19 which serves to guide and retain the inner end of the key, which is illustratedat 2() in Fig. 1, in position. The groove 16 might be in the form of a dovetail groove, if so desired.

-The eccentric pin 11 through whichthe plug 1 is connected with the locking bolt mechanism of the door is either formed integral with the rear end of the plugor is otherwise suitably attached thereto, so as to project rearwardly therefrom. The forward face of this rear end of the plug 1 is counterbored or countersunk as shown at 21, (Figs. 1 and 4)`to allow suiiicient clearance for the inner end of thel key 20.

The forward end of the key 2O is guided and retained in position by means of suitable outer key-way guide blocks 22, 23, and

v 24 providedl with suitable registering slots or keyways 25. Alined ridges 26 project into the slots or keyways of the blocks 18, 22, 23, and 24 and are adapted for coperation with a groove 27, extending lengthwise of the key 20. The`slots or keyways 19 and 25 can be supplemented at either side by suitable grooves for coperation with a ridge extending lengthwise of the key; the groove 27 can be provided in the `opposite side 'of the key or arranged at various transverse positions to multiply the number of key changes as well understood by those skilled in the art. The upper and lower inner edges of the linnermost block 22 of the outer keyway guide blocks are milled or otherwise machined down, as shown at 28 in Fig. 1.

- The plug member 1 is provided with a cup shaped head orcap 30 into which the outer free ends of the partiall annular prongs 14 and 15 are sprung. he outer keyway guide blocks 22, 23, and 24 are then forced into place between ithe outer .ends of the prongs 14 and 15 and into coperation with the front wall of the head or cap 30. lndentations 32, (Fig. 5) are milled or otherwise provided in the partially annular peripheries of the prongs-14 and 15 adjacent the free ends thereof. AThe plug member 1 with the head or cap 30 in place is then intive y secured in place. dated transversely with respect to the axisl of the plug. A diametrical groove 16 isv The upper and lower edges of the slots or; keyways 40 are inclined as shown at 41 to the axis of rotation of the plug member 1, there- -by positioning the key engaging edges 42,

adjacent the inner faces of the tumblers. Thus, the key engaging edges 42 of the tumblers are not disposed intermediate the opposite faces of the tumblers, but are disposed oiicenter, or as shown, adjhcent the rear faces of the tumblers. l

This olfcenter disposition of the key-engaging edges 42 is a highly important aspect of my invention in that I am' thus enabled by employing only two different l tumblers to provide a practically infinite or unlimited number of key changes. The tumblers 6 and 9 are alike as are the tumblers 7 and 8; that is, the positioning of the slots or keyways 40 in these tumblers is identical, the tumblers themselves being simply reversed end for end in the -plug member 1.

Between each of the block tumblers 6, 7, 8, and 9 a helical spring 45 is disposed in suitable coperating semi-circular pockets meagre 46 and 47, provided in the opposite faces respectively of each ofV the tumblers. The semi-circular pocket 46 is milled from the j upper edge oi' the tumbler' 9, while the semiclrcular pocket 47 is milled from the lower edge of the tumbler 8 as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. When the tumblers 8 and 9 are placed together a complete circular pocket is prov1ded,'(F ig. 4) confining the helical spring 45. v 4 v Normally the successive tumblers are separated verticall by the tension of the springs bearing at their oppositeends against the lower ends 48 of the rooves 46, and at the upper ends 49 of t 'e rooves 47 respectively. U on such separation the upper and lower e ges of the tumblers are projected from the periphery'of the plug member 1 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and into coperation with the longitudinal grooves 4 and 5 respectively, provided in lthe inclosing element 2 of the lockf In this condition the plug member 1 .is barred against rotation and it 1s consequently impossible to release the bolt mechamsmof the lock. The tension of the springs 45 need not be great, and there p.

is no appreciable resistanceupon the insertion of the proper key and in holding the ke fully inserted during the turning.

hen the proper key 2() is inserted its tapered end or nose 55 passes-through the keyways or slots 25 'provided in the guide blocks 22, 23, and 24, through the keyways 4() provided in the tumblers 9, 8, 7 and 6 respectively through the inner or rear guide block 178 and( into the recesses 21, provided in the forward face'of the inner end of the plug 1. The shoulder 37 which separates the finger piece 35 and body portion 36 of the key, eoperateswith a diametrical groove .38 provided across the outer face of the head or cap 30 of the plug l. The inclined shoulders 56 which are offset substantially the width of a tumbler along the upper and lower edges of the body portion 36 of the key 20, coperate successively with the inclined edges 41 of the keyways 40, raising and lowering the respective tumblers until the offcenter key engaging edges 42 thereof are properly )ositioned upon the ledges 57 running lengt wise of the ke between the inclined shoulders 56 thereo The insertion of the correct key thus withdraws the tumblers from their projected positions shown in Figs. 2 and 3 into the plug member 1, until the upper and lower edges of'. the.tumblers either coincide with or lie within thel periphery of the plug member. The plug member is now free to rotate withinthe cylinder, the tumblers 6, 7, 8 and 9 traveling with the .plug upon such rotation. lf any but the correct key is inserted, however, the tumblers will not be raised or lowered as the case may be to the lproper point and the plug 1 will still be arred against rotation.

Since the key engaging edges 42 of the tumblers are off-center, it willv at once be apparent that either of the tumblers can be reversed endwise, relative to either other tumbler or set of tumblers, so that the key engaging edge 42 of the tumbler 6, (Fig. 1) for example, is positioned adjacent the iorward instead of the inner or rear face of the tumbler as clearly shown in, dotted lines. Furthermore, since the successive order of the tumblers shown can be variously changed, and since varying thevertical' positions of the keyways 40, but a very small fraction of an meh will increase the key-changes, it will be seen that the possible variations with such tumblers are practically infinite. At the same time the lock possesses the requisite so essential, namely security, derived from solidity and strength 'to reslst violence and security against illicit opening. 'lhe key changes can be still further increased by cutting the groove 27 in the opposite side of the key.

rlhe plug member 1 and tumbler mechanism carried thereby is inserted into the casing or barrel 2, from the face of the door, suitable inaccessible means being provided to prevent removal thereof. Upon inserting the plug member 1 into place the tumblers 6, 7, 8 and 9 carried thereby are restrained by the proper key 2() so that their upper and lower edges respectively lie within the periphery of the plug 1. When the plug l is arranged in place in the bore 3 of the barrel 2, the head 3() of the plug is arranged for rotation in the co-axial pocket l0.

To prevent complete displacement of the tumblers from the plug l upon removing the plug from the barrel 2, grooves 6() are provided in one edge of each ot' the tumblers 6, 7, 8 and 9. These grooves, which are all of substantially the saine height, are provided at various vertical positions in the respective tumblers. For example the groove 6() in the tumbler 9 is in close proximity to the upper edge thereof, while the groove 60 in the tumbler 8 is in close proximity to the lower edge of the tumbler. At the same time the upper portion of the groove provided in the tumbler 9 registers with the lower portion of the groove provided in the tumbler 8. A liat spring 6l, shown in Fig. 7, is arranged longitudinally through the registering portions of these grooves 60. rThis sprin serves as a key to prevent the tumblers rom being projected from the plug 1 to such extent as to allow complete displacement of the tumblers.

'ln the event that either of the coil springs 45 should break the spring 6l assures proper operation of the lock. ln fact, the spring 45 might be readily dispensed with, in

lll

whicli event the spring 61, due to its tendenc to bring the grooves 60 into complete registration, would serve to project the tumblers into coperation with the grooves 4 and 5 of the barrel 2, barring the plug 1 against rotation until the proper key has been inserted. The spring 61 is inserted from the rear through an opening 62 provided through the rear wall of the plug -1 and the guide blocks 22, 23 and 24 are preferably grooved to provide for the reception of the free forward end of \this spring 61, as shown in Fig. 4. l l

While I have shown the grooves 60 as provided in only one edge of each of the tumblers, I contemplate the provision of such grooves in each of the opposite vertical edges of the tumblers whereby the opposite faces of the tumblers can be reversed without changing the relative positions of the upper and lower edges respectively of the tumblers. Semi-circular helical spring inclosing grooves, such as those providedin the opposite faces of each of the tumblers adjacent one side of the slots or keyways 40, can be provided adjacent each side of these slots or keyways or these grooves and the spring 45 can be omitted entirely.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 the rotatable element of the lock comprises a U shaped bar 70, the free ends of the rforwardly extending legs 71 of which are sprung into a head 72. Integral lugs 73 project transversely from the ends ofeach of the forwardly extending legs 71 and engage in suitable diametrical slots 74, provided in the head 72, when the U shaped bar is sprung into place. The upper and lower edges of the front guide block 22 are milled down and the inner edge of the head 72 is swaged into these milled down portions to securely rivet the head in place. The rear end of the U shaped 4 bar is provided with a threaded opening 75 for the reception of a suitable bolt-throwing pin, not shown.

Keyway guide blocks 76 and 77 are arranged in spaced relation transversely between the legs 71 of the U bar 70. The op-i posite edges of these guide blocks are pro-- vided with projecting lugs 78 which projecting lugs are sprung into suitable openings provided in the legs 71 of the U bar 70. The tumblers 6', 7 8 and 9 are arranged transversely between the legs 71 of the U bar 70 and longitudinally between the guide blocks 76 and 77.

This type of construction allows for the accommodation of any desired number of tumblers, the spaced relation of the guide blocks 76 and 77 being varied accordingly to the number of tumblers required in the particular instance in point.

In this instance I have shown, the tum-1 blers 6, 7', 8 and 9 as center block tumtumblers and the successive order of the tumblers shown can be varied to secure various Ykey chan es or combinations. Furthermore the re ative vertical positions of the keyways 40 can be varied for the purpose of increasing the number of key changes. The key 20 shown is/ of a four step downward order, although of course the particular number of` steps is immaterial. It is to be noted that it is only necessary to offset the upper s'teps one half the thickness of the tumblers with respect to the lower steps. If vthe key-engaging edges were fiat it would be obviously necessary to offset these steps substantially the entire thickness of a tumbler.

Obviously the center block tumblers shown in Fig. 8 can be employed in connection with the rotatable element shown in Fig. 1.

Or the offset tumblers shown in Fig. 1 can i be employed in connection with the rotatable element shown in Fig. 8. Further, the offset tumblers and center tumblers can be combined in the same lock if so desired.

I do not intend to limit the invention to the particular details described, asv I am aware that modifications and changes may be made and I have drawn the appended claims accordingly.

I claim: j

1. lIn a lock, a stationary element, a rotatable element, a pair of diametrically opposite grooves in said stationary element,'a 110 plurality of tumblers carried by said rotatable element, means normally projecting said vtumblers into coperation with said Ygrooves to bar said rotatable element against rotation, and means for limiting the projection-.of said tumblers, said means comprising a spring arranged longitudinally through said tumblers.

2. In a lock, a stationary element, a rotatable element, a pair of diametrically opposite grooves in said stationary element, a plurality of tumblers carried by said rotatable element, said tumblers having coperating pockets in their opposite faces, spring means confined in said coperating pockets, said spring means normally projecting said tumblers into coperation with said diametrically opposite grooves whereby said rotatable element is barred against rotation, and means for limiting'the projec- 130 maarre tion of Lsaid tumblers, said means comprising aA spring arranged longitudinally throu h said tumblers; f l

3. n a lock, a stationary element, a rotatable element, apgair of diametrically opposite `grooves in said stationary element, a plurality of tumblers carried by said rota- Atable element, spring means normally projecting lsaid tumblers into said grooves to bar said rotatable element against rotation, and spring means independent of' said first spring means for limiting theprojection of said tumblers.

a. In a lock, a rotatable element comprising a lil-shaped plug member, a plurality of tumblers mounted between the limbs thereof, a head member carried by.

sition of said. off center key-engaglng edge.

6. ln a lock, a rotatable element, a plurality of tumblers carried by said rotatable element, said tumblers having grooves in their longitudinal edges, spring means cooperating with said grooves to normally project said tumblers from the periphery of said rotatable element, the projection of said tumblers being limited by said spring means.

7. ln a lock, a rotatable element, a plu' rality of tumblers carried by said rotatable element,' said tumblers having keyways therein, said keyways having inclined keyengaging edges, said tumblers having cooperating pockets in theirv opposite faces and grooves in their longitudinal edges,

spring means confined in said cooperatingy pockets, said spring means normally projecting said tumblers from said rotatable elements, spring means cooperating with said .Grooves to limit the projection of said tumblers, said second. spring means normally aiding said rst spring means in the projection ot' said tumblers.

8. ln a lock, a rotatable element, a plurality of tumblers carried by said rotatable element, said tumblers having keyways with inclined key-engaging edges and grooves in their longitudinal edges, spring means cooperating with said grooves to normally project said tumblers from said rotatable elements, said spring means limiting the `projection of said tumblers and a key for engaging the inclined key-engaging edges of said keyways to restrain the tumblers from projection from the periphery of the rotatable element.

` 9, ln a lock, a stationary element, a rotastable element, a -plurality of tumblers carried by Said rotatable element and adapted for coperation with said stationary element, keyways in said tumblers, the vertical opposite edges of said keyways being inclined to the axis of rotation of the rotatable element, a key for engagin said, inclined key-engaging edges to restrain the tumblers against projection from the rotatable element, the cooperating inclined shoulders along the upper edge of said ke being otr'- set substantially one half the thickness of a tumbler with respect to the inclined cooperating shoulders provided along the lower edge of the key.

10. In a lock, a tumbler having a key engaging ed e position off center relative the depth of t e tumbler.

11. In ya lock, a pair of adacent tumblers, said tumblers having suppiemental spring sockets therein, a spring disposed in said supplemental .spring sockets, one end of said 'sprmg enga ing one of said tumblers, the

opposite en of said spring engaging the other of said tumblers.

12. ln a lock, a station-ary element, a rotatable element, a pair of tumblers carried by said rotatable element, spring means confined between said tumblers, said spring means normally eii'ecting engagement between said tumblers and said stationary element to lock said rotatable element against rotation, keyways or slots in said tumblers, said keyways or slots having key engaging edges and a key for cooperation with said key engaging edges to disongage said tumblers from said stationary element where upon said rotatable element is tree to rotate.

13. in a lock, a stationary element having a bore, a groove adjacent said bore and an enlarged coaxial pocket providing a shoul der at the termination of said bore, 'a rotatable element insertible in said bore, said rotatable element having a shoulder for eooperation with said first shoulder to limit the axial movement of said rotatable ele- .ment through said bore and a plurality oll tumblers, means for effecting engagement between said tumblers and said groove to lock said rotatable element 'against rotation and means tor effecting disengagement between said tumblers and said groove, whereupon said rotatable element is free to rotate.

14. In a lock, a stationary element, a rotatable element, a plurality oi tumblers carried by said rotatable element, independent spring means between adjacent pairs oi said tumblers for effecting cooperation between said tumblers and said stationary element, said tumblers having keyways or slots therein, and a key for cooperation with said keyways or slots to discngage said tumblers from said stationary element against the tension of said spring means. y

15. ln a lock, a stationary element, a rotalOO tabl(` clement and a plurality of tumblers, blers to bar Said rotatable element against nwan normally projecting said tumblers to rotation and spring means independent of 10 bar 'said rotatable element against rotation said first spring` means for limiting the proand spring` moans. for limiting` the projection jection ot' said tumblers.

f of said tumblers. In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe 1G. In a lock, a stationary element, a rotmy name this 20th day of August, A. D.

table clement and a 'plurality of tnmblers, 1919. w spring means normally projecting said tum- EDWARD A. CHRISTOPH, 

